ISUFST, UPV join forces for cultural mapping skills enhancement

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In a significant step towards authentically preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Fourth and Fifth Districts of Iloilo, the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) teamed up for a writing workshop as part of the ongoing Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras (CMGP) Project this Thursday, August 29, 2024, at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel, Iloilo City.

It brought together mappers, project leaders, study leaders, researchers, and cultural experts from the two educational institutions to enhance cultural mapping skills through the initial outputs churned out by the participants.

The workshop is part of a larger effort to fulfill the mandates of Republic Act No. 11961, also known as the “Cultural Mapping Law,” by Senator Loren B. Legarda.

The law aims to provide an integrated picture of a place’s cultural character, significance, and workings to help communities recognize, celebrate, and support cultural diversity for economic, social, and regional development.

The event—the last of the four-day CMGP training series—was attended by key CMGP figures, including Overall Project Leader Ms. Anna Razel Ramirez, Co-Project Manager Prof. Frances Anthea Redison, Language Editor Dr. Aurora Fe Bautista, and Project Leader Prof. Genevieve Santorio-Palmares of ISUFST.

It is worth noting that similar activity was also conducted by the CMGP Team last August 26, 27, and 28, with the mappers from Capiz State University (CapSU), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU), and West Visayas State University (WVSU), respectively.

While ISUFST covers the northern municipalities of Iloilo, these three universities were also assigned to hold cultural mapping initiatives for the districts of Iloilo City and the municipalities of the First, Second, and Third Districts of Iloilo.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in rigorous sessions focused on refining the documentation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage forms. This activity is crucial in ensuring that the cultural assets of Panay and Guimaras are accurately recorded and preserved for future generations.

Prof. Santorio-Palmares, ISUFST’s Project Leader for Cultural Mapping in the 4th and 5th Districts of Iloilo, expressed her gratitude for the collaboration and the positive impact it is expected to yield.

“This workshop has strengthened our team’s capabilities and reaffirmed our commitment to safeguarding our cultural heritage. The output from this cultural mapping project is highly anticipated, and I am confident that it will serve as a valuable resource for our communities and future generations,” Prof. Palmares said.

The CMGP Project is a collective endeavor, with contributions from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), UPV, several state universities and colleges, including ISUFST, and various local government units. It aims to create a comprehensive inventory of the region’s cultural assets, which will be instrumental in promoting cultural heritage preservation, community development, and policy-making at both local and national levels.

The results of this cultural mapping project are expected to facilitate the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, economic growth, educational advancements, and enhanced cultural policies in the region. The collaborative effort underscores the importance of cultural heritage in understanding identity and ensuring continuity amidst globalization. (Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)